Key events
Black Cats complete deal for Roefs
Sunderland have signed the highly-rated Dutch goalkeeper Robin Roefs from NEC Nijmegen. The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal at the Stadium of Light, becoming the club’s eighth signing of a busy summer.
“It feels really good to have signed for Sunderland,” Roefs said. “Joining such a big Club with a rich history is a proud moment for me, and I’m excited for the challenge ahead in the Premier League. Last season was my first real experience as a senior goalkeeper, and I was happy with how it went, especially with the stats at the end of the campaign. To be part of this journey at a Club like Sunderland is really special, and I’m looking forward to the campaign ahead.”
When you watch a lot of League One and League Two it is easy to forget quite how sensationally good all these players are. At one point every one of the them was the best somewhere – school, youth, academy, wherever. It is a weird situation where they are living the dream – being paid to play football – but constantly having to acknowledge they are not the best at this.
Max Rushden on the joys of transfers as a lower league fan, as they desperately every new face is the saviour they never knew.
Need more hot transfer gossip? Get stuck into today’s Rumour Mill.
A further transfer nibble from me …
Luton’s Lamine Fanne is wanted around Europe. Turkish side Konyaspor have already made contact with the Hatters about the Senegalese midfielder, who only moved to Kenilworth Road in January. Istanbul Basaksehir, Empoli and Copenhagen are also interested in the 21-year-old.
Leyton Orient should confirm the loan signing of Manchester United’s Jack Moorhouse today. The player was at the club yesterday finalising the deal ahead of a season working with Richie Wellens. Orient had a cracking record with last season’s loan signings, so United will be hoping they can work their magic with the highly-talented Moorhouse.
What happens when two superstars collide? Ben Fisher and Tom Brady in one article is about as good as it gets in the world of sport. Oh and Wayne Rooney gets further mention. A big day for him at Guardian HQ.
Dominic Booth went down to Moss Rose to have a chat with John Rooney about his brother, not being Robbie Savage and the joys of the National League North. I was always quite excited to read that Franny Jeffers is the assistant manager.
It looks like friend of Football Weekly Conor Coady is on his way to Wrexham from Leicester after the two clubs, reportedly, agreed a £2m fee for the former England centre-back. The Welsh club have enjoyed a good summer of mixing potential and experience in their transfer dealings.
Rangers sign Spurs teenager Moore on loan
Mikey Moore spoke of his love for Rangers after joining the Ibrox club from Tottenham on a season-long loan.
The highly-rated attacker, who turns 18 later this month, came through the ranks at Spurs and made his senior debut against Manchester City a little over 12 months ago, thus becoming the youngest Tottenham player to feature in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 277 days.
Moore, who has played for England youth sides up to Under-19 level, told the Ibrox club’s official website: “I’m excited to get going.
“As soon as I heard Rangers were interested and wanted me to come, it was a massive opportunity for me. I’m excited to be here and hopefully I can show the fans and everyone what I can do. I’ve always loved Rangers as a club. My family have always loved them.
“I think with the new boss and the way that we play, it’s a great place to be at the minute. It was a pretty easy decision for me to come here.” Pa Media
We have a couple of transfer stories knocking around from last night.
Where is Alexander Isak? He has wandered off to San Sebastian to enjoy a bit of solo training, some pintxos and hopefully the odd glass of Txakoli. I appreciate he might want to leave but it is always fascinating how these players go about it.
Arne Slot says Liverpool are always keen on signing top quality players and there aren’y many – if any – better strikers than Isak around. It also helps that he really wants to move to Anfield.
We might as well start in the traditional way with our League One and Two previews for the upcoming season.
The really good news is that I wrote them, so you can email in to tell me what utter nonsense I am spouting. I think, technically, I am still Harrogate Town’s fourth choice goalkeeper, so I know what I am on about.
Football is … back?
In the monied leagues, the focus is on Alexander Isak’s future. The Swedish striker is currently training alone at Real Sociedad as he looks to force a move away from Newcastle, with Liverpool his desired destination.
Down the pyramid the action is on the pitch. Obviously football at no point stopped thanks to the Club World Cup, Women’s European Championship, European qualifiers, constant transfer rumours swirling and the general lack of anything else in our empty lives.
League One gets us going with Luton v AFC Wimbledon later, which would have been a Premier League v League Two clash a couple of years ago. It shows that football can still be quite fun and unpredictable.
We welcome all your comments, predictions and insight heading into this glorious time when the Football League is given centre stage.
